Best Practices For Online Banking Security

User ID and Password Guidelines

  • Create a "strong" password with at least 8 characters that includes a combination of mixed case letters and numbers.
  • Change your password frequently.
  • Never share username and password information with third-party providers.
  • Avoid using an automatic login feature that saves usernames and passwords.

General Guidelines

  • Do not use public or other unsecured computers for logging into Online Banking.
  • Check your last login date/time every time you log in.
  • Review account balances and detail transactions regularly (preferably daily) to confirm payment and other transaction data and immediately report any suspicious transactions to your financial institution.
  • View transfer history available through viewing account activity information.
  • Whenever possible, use Bill Pay instead of checks to limit account number dissemination exposure and to obtain better electronic recordkeeping.
  • Take advantage of and regularly view system alerts; examples include:
    • Balance alerts
    • Transfer alerts
    • Password change alerts
    • ACH Alerts (for cash management users)
  • Do not use account numbers, your social security number, or other account or personal information when creating account nicknames or other titles.
  • Whenever possible, register your computer to avoid having to re-enter challenge questions and other authentication information with each login.
  • Review historical reporting features of your online banking application on a regular basis to confirm payment and other transaction data.
  • Never leave a computer unattended while using Online Banking.
  • Never conduct banking transactions while multiple browsers are open on your computer.

Tips to Protect Online Payments & Account Data

  • Take advantage of transaction limits.
  • When you have completed a transaction, ensure you log off to close the connection with the financial organization's computer.
  • Use separate accounts for electronic and paper transactions to simplify monitoring and tracking any discrepancies.
  • Reconcile by carefully monitoring account activity and reviewing all transactions initiated by your company on a daily basis.

Account Transfer

  • Use limits provided for monetary transactions.
  • Review historical and audit reports regularly to confirm transaction activity.
  • Utilize available alerts for funds transfer activity.